City grants fund Make A Difference Day projects

LIMA — A day dedicated to cleaning up neighborhoods and fixing community problems just got a boost from the city.

Each year, the City of Lima offers 10 Make A Difference Day mini-grants of $500. Last year, only four were rewarded due to lack of applicants, but this year, all 10 — a total of $5,000 — was handed out to a number of organizations across the city looking to “make a difference” and improve the quality of life for city residents.

All of the following projects will take place on Make A Difference Day Oct. 27. Projects financed by the mini-grants include:

Greenfield Heights Improvements:

Students involved with Cornerstone Teens and Heir Force Community School will be partnering with Councilor Derry Glenn to work on resident’s homes and lawns throughout the Greenfield Heights neighborhood from 8 a.m. to noon.

Daycare Repairs:

As part of an expansion, Family Promise — a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless families — will be creating a daycare in one of the four homes they have been able to acquire throughout the last few years. Improvements include making exterior repairs, landscaping and removing cabinetry from the house on South Main Street. Those interested in volunteering for the project can call 419-879-4600.

Rally Point Courtyard:

Youth for Christ and Kiwanis of Lima are working together to create an outside courtyard at 1648 N. Main St. for youth and volunteers to enjoy the outdoors. Those interested in volunteering for the project can call 419-303-8552.

Faurot Fall Fun Day:

A welcome to the neighborhood fall fun day will be hosted by Faurot West Neighborhood Association at Faurot Park shelter 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entertainment will include pumpkin painting, hayrides and other community activities. The group will also be handing out information packets concerning the association throughout the neighborhood.

Fixing Cats:

To help feral cats, Lotta Love Pet Rescue will be trapping 8 to 10 cats roaming around the neighborhood around Lima Memorial Health System, providing veterinarian attention to them and releasing them spayed and neutered.

Edible Forest:

Northside Neighborhood Association will be planting a variety of plants and trees on a vacant lot on Lima’s north side to create a small handicap-accessible green space. Those interested in volunteering can call 567-242-8950.

Raising the Flag:

Lima Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership will be updating its flag at its location on Spring Street. A flag raising ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. and an educational service about how to display flags will take place immediately following.

Community Bikes:

The Wheelhouse Ministry, a program dedicated to giving bikes to those without transportation, will hold a bike safety and maintenance educational event from 9 a.m. to noon for those interested at the Elm Street Church of the Brethren, 619 E. Elm St.

Opiates Kill Project:

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Association will be hosting an educational event concerning opiates and a park cleanup at Martin Luther King Park from noon to 4 p.m. Created to stem the rise in opiate-related overdoses, the program will offer testimonials from past users and drug education by Allen County Public Health as well as family entertainment.

For more information on any of these projects, residents are encouraged to contact Neighborhood Specialist Autumn Swanson at 419-221-5177.